Volume One Mutation Chapter Sixty-Three Arrival!

After circling in midair for ten minutes, the transport plane was suddenly joined by two fighter jets soaring in from the distant mountains—machines that Liu Cong had only ever glimpsed on television. He knew little about their models, but from their streamlined silhouettes, he could tell they were strikingly handsome, exuding a fierce, dazzling aura.

As the two fighters approached, the transport ceased its circling and, flanked on the left and right, flew deeper into the mountain range. The distance between the planes was so close that, through the window, one could see the pilots behind the glass canopy of the fighters.

Everyone in the cabin was both awed and exhilarated by the spectacle; to be escorted by two fighter jets was, after all, something worth boasting about. Zhang Chu's department belonged to the army, and the most he usually saw were helicopters. This was his first time in such proximity to fighter jets, and he pressed himself against the window, marveling aloud.

Wang Na, seeing Zhang Chu's behavior, thought it exactly like how he had teased her about her own military district when they'd been on the helicopter, and couldn't help but roll her eyes. Here he goes again, jealous as ever.

"This Number One Safe Zone really is different," Liu Cong said with a laugh. "Its location is hidden, but even approaching requires the surveillance of fighter jets."

Though Wang Na was annoyed with Zhang Chu's display, she was still polite to Liu Cong and explained, "Most countries operate this way now. In times like these, control over airspace becomes strict. The safe zone is classified as 'double high'—meaning high population density and high material reserves. Without rigorous airspace monitoring, a single hostile plane could launch a missile and destroy much of the safe zone."

Liu Cong nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The more uncertain the times, the more vigilant we must be."

Liu Qingqing chimed in, "That's right. It's just like when I play puzzle games—bombs are always placed where they're most crowded, so you get the highest score."

Wang Na gave her a strange look. Puzzle games? Sure, the logic was sound, but comparing a children's game to national security seemed a bit frivolous.

Just then, Zhang Chu, who had been glued to the window, turned around. "Wang Na, you guys have access to so much military equipment—any chance you could get a fighter jet? I'd trade supplies for one."

"You really think you could fly it?" Wang Na shot him a look, annoyed.

Zhang Chu slapped his forehead. "Right, I'd have to buy a pilot too. Maybe you could ask your sister for me, set a price, and I'll send the goods right away."

His eagerness made Liu Qingqing laugh. She pressed her lips together and said, "Uncle Zhang, you should stop daydreaming. Even if you got a fighter jet, you couldn't fly it home. G15 doesn't even have a place to park it, nor the staff or equipment for maintenance. But that's just the beginning. The real issue is fuel and ammunition—none of which G15 has. If you did manage to fly it back, it'd just be a glorified ornament."

Wang Na looked at Liu Qingqing in surprise, not expecting such a thorough explanation. Compared to Zhang Chu, she found him even more exasperating. "Hear that? Even a delicate young lady can think of these things. You're a soldier—try not to embarrass the rest of us."

Zhang Chu, still enamored with the fighter jets outside, was now too embarrassed to retort. He scratched his head and said, "Miss Liu, I just like them so much I spoke without thinking. But you really know your stuff—it’s no wonder you’re a university student!"

Liu Cong teased him, "Uncle Zhang, I’m a university student too, but I don’t know any of this!"

Seeing Liu Cong refuse to give him any face, Zhang Chu looked deflated, much to Wang Na’s amusement.

Liu Qingqing, a bit embarrassed, explained, "My father was fond of these things. I learned a bit from listening to him."

The thought of her father’s tragic fate dampened her mood, and Liu Cong discreetly took her hand to comfort her.

As they spoke, the cabin’s loudspeaker suddenly crackled to life.

"We are about to arrive at Number One Safe Zone. Please remain in your seats, fasten your seatbelts, and prepare for landing."

The announcement repeated twice, and everyone obediently fastened their seatbelts before the second repetition ended. With landing imminent, no one dared risk an accident; nobody wanted to gamble with their own lives.

---

The reason Number One Safe Zone was established amid the undulating mountains was its high level of concealment. From above, the peaks stretched endlessly, each capped with snow. The mountains stood strange and majestic, and unless guided by the navigation system, no one would realize that one of these peaks had been hollowed out entirely, or that clusters of buildings now stood in the secluded valleys.

Within this mountain range, an airport had been built—its location extremely secretive. Two long, clean runways crossed the ground, cleared of snow. Li Yu and Zhang Quanyou stood in the airport’s control hall, accompanied by a group of people, facing a large screen.

Li Yu pointed at three small red dots arranged in a pyramid shape on the screen. "Is this them?"

Someone behind him quickly replied, "Yes, the dots on either side are our fighters. The central signal is the Eagle District’s transport plane. It’s been here a few times before—easy to recognize."

Li Yu stared at the leading red dot, his eyes shining. "How much longer until they land?"

"Sir, they are already above our airport. They’ll land in about five minutes."

Li Yu turned to Zhang Quanyou and smiled. "Old Zhang, let’s go greet these guests. I’ve been looking forward to this meeting for a long time."

Zhang Quanyou laughed, "Me too! We’ve spoken often by phone and video, but I’ve never met him in person."

He was proud; Li Yu might want to build a relationship now, but it was too late—this guest was his.

Li Yu, seeing his smug face, shook his head. As old friends, he knew Zhang’s thoughts but didn’t bother to argue.

The people behind them exchanged curious glances, wondering who these two chiefs were waiting for—who had such honor that they would be received in person. With the mystery set to be revealed in five minutes, they all looked forward to the plane’s arrival.

Escorted by the two fighters, Liu Cong and his companions arrived above the airport. The two pilots in the transport saw the runway below and began their descent.

Liu Cong noticed that the fighters did not land with them but flew on ahead.

Once the plane stopped, the pilot opened the rear hatch, and the waiting security squad boarded, sweeping the cabin with their rifles before forming a line.

Liu Cong, unfamiliar with such a scene, looked to Wang Na for guidance.

She unbuckled her seatbelt. "This is a routine security check. We can disembark now. Someone will come for the supplies later."

Liu Cong and the others unbuckled and followed Wang Na, but she suddenly paused at the door.

"Why aren’t we going?" Liu Cong asked.

Wang Na motioned for him to look below. He glanced down and saw a dense crowd—at least several dozen people—all watching them.

When Liu Cong spotted the familiar face at the front of the crowd, he exclaimed, "Chief Zhang?"

"Hurry down. The chiefs are waiting for you!" Wang Na said with envy.

The others all looked at Liu Cong, waiting for him to lead; they knew these people were here for him—none of them could claim such honor.

Liu Cong also noticed the man beside Zhang Quanyou, someone he’d often seen on television. He couldn’t believe both chiefs had come to meet him. Flustered and honored, he quickly disembarked and led the group forward to greet them.